AU CHARTER ON DEMOCRACY

C O N F I D E N T I A L DAR ES SALAAM 000148

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NAIROBI FOR SOMALIA WATCHER; AF/RSA FOR MHARPOLE; AF/E FOR
BARBARA YODER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/30/2017
TAGS: KDEM PREL XA TZ
SUBJECT: AU CHARTER ON DEMOCRACY

REF: STATE 10434

Classified By: DCM D. Purnell Delly for reasons 1.4(b) and (d).


1. (U) The Government of Tanzania (GOT) is committed to all
issues regarding good governance and would love to see all
nations, not just in Africa but all over the world,
independent and led democratically, Nelson J. Lyimo, Acting
Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Africa
Department, told Poloff on January 30. Therefore, Lyimo said
Tanzania would likely act in concert with other like-minded
AU members in Adis on the African Charter on Democracy,
Elections, and Governance. (Comment: While Lyimo did not
explictly say Tanzania would support the draft charter, he
strongly suggested it would do so. His immediate supervisor,
Director of the Africa Department Mr. Francis Malambugi is at
the current AU summit with President Kikwete.)


2. (C) Lyimo also said the GOT was very happy with the
selection of Ghana's President John Kufuor as AU President.
In response to Poloff's comment that this selection was
contrary to the idea that it was East Africa's turn to serve,
Lyimo said that regional balance was considered, but that it
is better for Sudan for the post to go to someone other than
a neighbor. Besides, commented Lyimo, this creates an even
stronger argument for an East African head of state to fill
the post next year. Lyimo said that President Kikwete "had
not put himself forward" as a candidate but that he would
have served if he had been asked. Regarding Kikwete's
interest in serving as AU President next year, Lyimo said
there was "no doubt about it." COMMENT: Lyimo characterized
the selection of a head of state from outside of East Africa
as part of a deal to guarantee an East African would get the
post next year and that President Kikwete is the heir
apparent.


3. (C) The GOT supported Ethiopia's move into Somalia and
understands its interest in getting out as soon as possible.
However, the GOT is concerned that a hasty exit by the
Ethiopians will create a vacuum and the possibility of
creating another Darfur in the region, Lyimo said. The GOT
wants the United Nations, not/not the African Union, to step
in and fill the vacuum as the UN has the ability to draw on
other governments for support as well as its own coffers, and
is better organized for such a mission. In response to
Poloff asking if the GOT is offering to send troops to
Somalia, Lyimo said "we have the will, but need the muscle,"
adding that the GOT would require financial support and
equipment before being able to consider sending troops to
Somalia.
RETZER